PLANS have been launched to convert a former Inverness tenpin bowling alley into a self-storage facility in a £2 million project.
The proposals are being brought forward by local businessman, Ewan Calder, who grew up in Inverness Ewan, who recently sold Northern Recycling Solutions, already runs Invergordon Self Storage and fileVAULT, a document storage business serving customers across the UK.
If approved, the facility would offer fully indoor storage units from 25 to 250 square feet, with digital access to the site gate, main entrance and individual units, and lift access to a mezzanine floor.
The units would be designed for both household and business use – from people storing belongings during a move, renovation or life change, to local businesses and tradespeople needing extra space for stock, tools, equipment or archived paperwork.
Self-storage has grown steadily in recent years as space at home and in commercial premises becomes harder to find, and although the sector is well established across the UK, the proposed facility would be a first for Inverness, where existing self-storage is based around outdoor container storage.
Ewan said, “I completely understand that for a lot of people the closure of Rollerbowl was the end of an era. I grew up in Inverness and played at Rollerbowl many times myself over the years with my family, so I have plenty of fond memories of it too.
“Unfortunately, the building has been sitting empty for many months and was recently broken into. I would much rather see it invested in and brought back into use. Storage is the business I know. When the opportunity came up, I could see a way of giving the building a viable future while bringing a different type of self-storage facility to Inverness, which I believe and hope will be very popular.”
The proposed facility will include a modern fit-out with white corridors and graphite grey walls, individual storage units, digital access to the site gate, main entrance and each unit, and 24/7 CCTV.
Subject to planning permission and a building warrant from The Highland Council, the planning, construction and fit-out process is expected to take around six to seven months, with Ewan targeting an opening in May 2027.
